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The Spanish Academy

About

The Academy is based on Middlebury College’s long standing tradition of immersion education and provides a world of difference when it comes to language learning. No matter your background or prior Spanish experience, if you are passionate about learning Spanish and committed to speaking Spanish 24/7 at the Academy, you will dramatically improve your Spanish language skills.

For four weeks, all programming, events, activities, field trips, meetings, and meals will be in Spanish. From morning assembly until lights out, you’ll be immersed in language with a group of equally passionate peers at the same competency level as you. The curriculum is organized by themes that help you navigate life in this new environment.

Why Learn Spanish?

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. U.S. Census projections predict that by 2050, the United States will have 138 million Spanish speakers, making it the largest Spanish speaking nation in the world. If this isn’t reason enough to start learning Spanish, the romance language is considered by many to be one of the most poetic and beautiful languages. And with more than 500 million speakers worldwide, and 31 countries boasting Spanish as their official language, Spanish is increasingly becoming more than a language of culture and civilization—it is gaining importance in the global business world as well.

Experience Spanish Culture

At the Spanish Academy, you'll gain an appreciation for Spanish language and culture through cuisine, art, history, music, dance, geography, and politics. Cultural exploration may include:

Learning Flamenco dance, tango, or salsa with your friends.

Creating a self portrait in the style of Frida Kahlo.

Taking a cooking class, where you'll learn to make (and eat!) empanadas, tapas, and other popular dishes from Spanish speaking countries.

Viewing a Spanish movie or creating your own Spanish film.

Studying modern art and architecture, history, and poetry in Spanish.

Visiting Middlebury College’s Spanish Language School where you will take a tour of campus (in Spanish!), attend a dance or music performance, and enjoy dinner alongside Spanish School students.

When opportunities are available near your local Academy, we find a way to engage you and your language group with the local community as well as bring that community to you.

Sites

For summer 2018, join us at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont for a U.S. based immersion program open to rising 8th-12th grade students from beginners to advanced Spanish speakers. Or choose to study abroad at one of two international sites—Granada or Salamanca, Spain—open to rising 9th-12th grade students with at least one year of Spanish experience (rising 9th graders must have at least 2 years middle school Spanish language study).

Granada, Spain

June 24—July 20, 2018

Do you dream about traveling to Spain and exploring the rich and vibrant country first hand? Our study abroad Language Academy for teens can take you there! High school students will have the opportunity to live immersed in language and culture during a unique four week Spanish study abroad experience in the summer.

Accelerate your Spanish language skills while living and studying in Granada, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in southern Spain. You'll have the opportunity to explore stunning architectural sites, be inspired by the Alhambra, and the Generalife. You'll discover new ways of thinking and make connections with new people and culture that will last a lifetime.

The Spanish Academy in Granada is open to rising 9th-12th grade students with at least one year of Spanish language experience (rising 9th graders must have at least two years middle school Spanish language experience). The Spanish Academy is run in collaboration with IES Abroad, a leader in study abroad experiences for college students with over 60 years of experience.

Visiting Granada

Granada, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the southern part of Andalusia, is a vibrant city with a mix of students, artists, tourists, business people, and historians. Widely considered to be one of the major intellectual centers of southern Spain, Granada is home to a university of 80,000 students as well as a mix of architectural styles that reflect the city’s diverse cultural history.

Many travelers who visit Granada insist it’s the must see city in all of Spain. With one of the clearest windows into Spain’s unique historical symbiosis of cultures, Granada is youthful with a vibrant city center. Visit the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, and the Generalife, an impressive garden complete with fountains, arches, patios, and flowering vegetation of every color. The Alhambra, also a UNESCO World Heritage location, is regarded as one of the most inspiring architectural and historical sights in Spain.

Curriculum & Classes in Granada

While the teaching methodology and belief in immersion learning is consistent across all Academies, the curriculum in Granada is designed to help students immerse themselves in the local surroundings and to quickly adapt to their new environment.

Curriculum Design

Each week at the Academy regardless of language level, students will focus on a particular theme that directly relates to Granada and Spain. Themes and daily lessons are adapted for each class level and weekly projects help students demonstrate their mastery of the content.

The weekly themes are designed to introduce students to Granada, Spain, and the local history and culture—all in language! This year’s weekly themes are:

Week 1: Getting to Know the School (Ave María Casa Madre) and the City of Granada

Week 2: History and Culture of Granada

Week 3: Spanish Economy and Tourism

Week 4: Spanish Cuisine

Authentic Interaction

As a part of class time each day, teachers will bring students to different sites throughout Granada to interact with native speakers. To develop an authentic understanding of the local economy, for example, students might visit local businesses to interview the owners.

In Granada, the city is your classroom!

Throughout the program, students will also have opportunities to attend presentations and performances by local experts. Students may hear about the history and influence of Moor rule in Granada or learn to dance the Flamenco. Each event aims to enrich students’ understanding of Granada and Spain.

Levels & Placement

Students will be required to take an online proficiency test prior to arriving in Granada. Based on these results, students will be placed appropriately in one of three levels. Each level will focus on the same weekly theme, but the difficulty of content will be adapted to students’ level of proficiency.

Daily Schedule in Granada

For four weeks, all programming, events, activities, field trips, meetings, and meals will be in Spanish. From morning assembly until lights out, you’ll be wrapped in the language with a group of new friends, teachers and residential staff.

Morning Assembly

For 20 minutes after breakfast each morning, all students gather together for a casual assembly. Teachers and residential staff may perform skits, show music videos, or share creative presentations. It’s fun, unpredictable and all in language as you get warmed up for the day of academic, cultural, and recreational activities ahead.

Class Time

During the week you will spend approximately three hours a day in language classes. You will stay with your language level group and follow a course of study specially designed so that you can survive and thrive in a full immersion environment.

Cultural Exploration

The Academy’s hands on cultural exploration classes are 2 hours long on weekdays. These classes change every week and allow students the opportunity to actively explore authentic aspects of Spanish culture. In Granada the classes may focus on topics such as:

Spanish Cooking

Traditional Spanish Dancing

The Music of Spain

Arts and Crafts in Spain

Mealtime

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner you’ll have every meal with your new friends to stay in language. Early on there may be some humor and difficulty staying in language, but it’s good fun and teachers or RAs will be there to provide encouragement. Meals are eaten family style in Centro Ave Mariá Casa Madre cafeteria, but on field trips and excursions students will have opportunities to explore Spanish cuisine from local restaurants and vendors. If you have any dietary restrictions, please make sure to contact us.

Afternoon Activities

Afternoon activities change every day and may include painting, collage, watching Spanish TV, or going for chocolate and churros at a local shop in Granada. You can also choose sports like soccer, basketball, yoga, or Frisbee. RAs lead all afternoon activities and supply students with the vocabulary they need to have fun and stay in language.

Free Time

You’ll have some down time every day, when you’ll be able to exercise, write in your journal, do some laundry, take a walk, chill with friends, take a shower before dinner, or all of the above.

Evening Activities & Evening Assembly

Evening activities vary day by day. Some days students will spend extra time reviewing coursework with their teachers. Other evenings, RAs will lead Student Interest Clubs where students can dive deeper into areas of their choosing such as sports, music, yearbook, dance, videography, or theater. Students may have special performances or movie nights planned in the evening for them as well.

Evening Assembly takes place once a week and is a chance for you to see what your friends have been learning in their language classes. Think songs, skits, games, and interactive activities. It’s entertaining and a great opportunity to see how your peers are progressing.

The End of the Day

After evening activities, it is your time to meet back in your housing with your friends and residential staff. Enjoy a snack with friends. Listen to some music. Maybe share a funny story, divulge a recent triumph, or express your thoughts and concerns. Before too long, you’ll be ready to crash so you can feel ready for the next day.

Weekends

The weekends offer extended free time to relax or review, but also to explore the city and surrounding areas of Spain.

Field Trips & Excursions in Granada

It would be a shame to come to Spain and not experience the culture and sites that define it. That’s why we organize trips for students throughout the week and on every weekend.

Specifics around these trips are subject to change and more information on the curriculum and cultural events will be released as it becomes available.

Field Trips

As part of the program, students will participate in day trips on the weekend to travel to locations outside of the city. In previous years locations have included:

Málaga – the birthplace of Picasso and often regarded as the cultural center of the Costa de Sol region. The city is famous for its number and diversity of museums, fine dining, and historical landmarks. Málaga was founded circa 770 BC.

Frigiliana – nicknamed “the white village” because of the whitewashed buildings that line its streets, it is considered by many to be the prettiest village in all of Spain. Tucked within the Andulucia mountains, the village boasts stunning views and a number of great nearby hiking trails.

Nerja – another picturesque village located on the Costa del Sol. Here students can explore the neighboring caverns, relax on the Mediterranean shore, and visit the town’s city center

Alfacar – a nearby village believed by many to have the best bread in the province. There, students will learn from local bakers how to bake the locals favorite breads and pastries.

Excursions

There is no short list of things to see and do within Granada either. Throughout the week, students will have many opportunities to explore the city with their teachers and RAs. In the past students have visited:

Alhambra – the second most visited site in all of Europe. The Alhambra is a palace, fortress complex that blends together Moorish, Christian, and modern architectural themes.

Palicio de los Olvidados – a museum exploring the many different aspects of the Spanish Inquisition.

The Science Park – an interactive museum which explores physical phenomena such as gravity, body movement, and the physics of light and sound.

Generalife – the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid dynasty that ruled Granada from the 13th to 15th century.

Granada Housing & Facilities

In the heart of Granada, and within walking distance of the Alhambra, is the Centro Ave Mariá Casa Madre campus, a private Catholic residential school where the Academy is held. Academy students will live on campus where their classes and many co-curricular activities will take place. The Ava Mariá campus boasts tremendous views of the Alhambra and is within a five minute walk of the historic site.

Residence Halls

Rooms at the Academy will be shared by two students and each student will have a wardrobe that locks to store his or her belongings. Most rooms will have a private bathroom while some will have an en suite bathroom shared by two dorm rooms. The residence hall is not air conditioned, but each room has windows that open and a fan which will help students take advantage of the cool evening breezes. Staff will clean the rooms every day, and there will be a laundry service included once per week for the students’ bed linens and clothes.

Dining Hall

The dining hall can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free requests, but please contact us ahead of time of any special dietary restrictions. A sample menu of traditional Spanish cuisine from the campus dining hall could include a tomato salad (first course), followed by grilled fish or vegetable soup (second course), and fresh fruit and yogurt for dessert. All meals will include bread and water/juice. A late morning or afternoon snack will also be served. All menus are developed in consultation with a nutritionist.

Recreational Facilities

The Ave Mariá Casa Madre campus includes volleyball courts, an outdoor patio, a basketball court, a soccer court, a handball court, and game room that Academy students can utilize during the program.

Granada Dates & Tuition

June 24—July 20, 2018

The total cost includes tuition, room and board, instructional materials, and field trips. Travel costs are not included.

March 2, 2018—
April 15, 2018

$7,995

Salamanca, Spain*

July 1—July 27, 2018

*OUR SALAMANCA ACADEMY IS CURRENTLY FULL

Do you dream about traveling to Spain and exploring the rich and vibrant country first hand? Our study abroad Language Academy for teens can take you there! High school students will have the opportunity to live immersed in the Spanish language and culture of Salamanca during a unique four week Spanish study abroad experience in the summer.

Accelerate your Spanish language skills while living and studying in Salamanca, the capital of the province of Salamanca, which is located in northwestern Spain. You'll have the opportunity to become intimately familiar with a city so ancient that its history predates the Roman Empire. The Old Quarter of the city contains stunning palaces and churches first constructed hundreds of years ago. In Salamanca you'll discover new ways of thinking and make connections with new people and culture that will last the rest of your life.

The Spanish Academy in Salamanca is open to rising 9th-12th grade students with at least one year of Spanish language experience (rising 9th graders must have at least two years middle school Spanish language experience). The Spanish Academy is run in collaboration with IES Abroad, a leader in study abroad experiences for college students with over 60 years of experience.

Note: This is a homestay program. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about this or any other aspect of the Spanish Academy.

Curriculum & Classes in Salamanca

While the teaching methodology and belief in immersion learning is consistent across all Academies, the curriculum in Salamanca is designed to help students immerse themselves in the local surroundings and quickly adapt to their new environment.

Curriculum Design

Each week at the Academy regardless of language level, students will focus on a particular theme that directly relates to Salamanca and Spain. Themes and daily lessons are adapted for each class level and weekly projects help students demonstrate their mastery of the content.

The weekly themes are designed to introduce students to Salamanca, Spain, and the local history and culture—all in language! This year’s weekly themes are:

Week #1 - Getting to Know Salamanca and Spain

Week #2 - History and Culture of Salamanca

Week #3 - Spanish Economy and Tourism

Week #4 - Spanish Cuisine

Authentic Interaction

As a part of class time each day, teachers will bring students to different sites throughout Salamanca to interact with native speakers. To develop an authentic understanding of the local economy for example, students might visit local businesses to interview the owners.

In Salamanca, the city is your classroom!

Throughout the program students will also have opportunities to attend presentations and performances by local experts. Students may hear about the history of Christopher Columbus (Salamanca is his home town) from a local professor or learn to dance the Jota. Each event aims to enrich students’ understanding of Salamanca and Spain.

Levels & Placement

Students will be required to take an online proficiency test prior to arriving in Salamanca. Based on these results, students will be placed appropriately in one of three levels. Each level will focus on the same weekly theme, but the difficulty of content will be adapted to students’ level of proficiency.

Daily Schedule in Salamanca

The program focuses on providing cultural immersion for its students. In Salamanca, students gain that experince through living, eating, and traveling with a host family, as well as participation in language classes, culture classes, afternoon activities, student interest clubs, and field trips.

Morning Assembly

After students have eaten breakfast with their hosts, RAs will walk with them to campus for a casual assembly. For 20 minutes each morning, teachers and residential staff perform skits, show music videos, and share creative presentations. It’s fun, unpredictable and all in language as you get warmed up for the day of academic, cultural, and recreational activities ahead.

Class Time

During the week you will spend approximately three hours a day in language classes. You will stay with your language level group and follow a course of study specially designed so that you can survive and thrive in a full immersion environment.

Cultural Exploration

The Academy’s hands on cultural exploration classes are 2 hours long on weekdays. These classes change every week and allow students the opportunity to actively explore authentic aspects of Spanish culture. In Salamanca the classes will focus on topics such as:

Spanish Cooking

Traditional Spanish Dancing

The Music of Spain

Arts and Crafts in Spain

Mealtime

Eat three meals a day with your hosts and experience authentic Spanish cuisine. Breakfast is typically light in Spain, but students will have snacks available on campus before and after classes. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Spain and is typically eaten later in the day. Per custom, students will have extra time to take a much needed siesta afterwards. Dinner takes place after afternoon activities and is smaller, often consisting of soup and sandwiches. Please make sure to contact us if you have any dietary restrictions.

Afternoon Activities

Afternoon activities offer an organized way to have fun in language. They change every day and may include activities such as music practice, painting, watching Spanish TV, or going out with friends for chocolate and churros. You can also choose sports like soccer, basketball, yoga, or Frisbee. RAs lead all afternoon activities and supply students with the vocabulary they need to have fun and stay in language. Every week students will also have days planned to spend with their host family or travel on excursions with their teachers and RAs.

Free Time

After dinner with your host family, you’ll have some down time to write in your journal, do some laundry, listen to some music, take a walk with your hosts, or all of the above. Before too long you’ll be ready to crash so you can feel prepared for the next day.

Weekends

The weekends offer extended free time to relax or review, but also explore the city and greater Spain.

Field Trips & Excursions in Salamanca

It would be a shame to come to Spain and not see the most distinguishing cultural aspects and renowned sites. That’s why we organize trips for students throughout the week and on every weekend.

Field Trips & Excursions

The program will include 3 field trips which may vary based on heat and/or other weather conditions. All changes will be mutually agreed upon between IES Abroad and MIL staff. Field trips will likely include:

Leronimus / Clerecía Towers – Visit to Cathedral and Clerecía towers to learn about its construction as well as to get a beautiful panoramic view of Salamanca.

History & Legends Guided Tour – Tour of the local history and legends about Salamanca.

Traveling with Your Host Family

Every Sunday, students will have time set aside to explore the city with their host family. Where you go is decided by you and your hosts! Be sure to look up some places to visit ahead of time that specifically interest you. Or be surprised by your host family!

Excursions

Throughout the program, students will also have the opportunity to go on excursions with their teachers and RAs within Salamanca.

Students will participate in 3 day trips to some of the major sites near Salamanca. All changes will be mutually agreed upon between IES Abroad and MIL staff. Excursions will likely include:

Sierra de Francia – Includes roundtrip transportation, bag lunch, and a variety of outdoor activities which may include hiking and swimming.

Salamanca Housing and Facilities

At the Academy in Salamanca, students will live with local families and take their classes at the Colegio Maestro Ávila, a private primary and secondary school located near the center of town.

Host Families

All host families have been carefully vetted and have previously hosted American students with our partner, IES Abroad. Two students will be assigned to each host family where they will have either a shared or single bedroom and shared bathroom facilities. Students will share three meals a day with their host(s).

Each homestay is located within a 10-20 minute walk of Colegio Maestro Ávila. When it's time for class, students will walk in small groups to the school. RAs will supervise the commute to and from school. Family assignments are based on student preferences such academic interests, sports played, hobbies, and dietary needs.

Facilities at Colegio Maestro Ávila

All classes and activities are held at the Colegio Maestro Ávila and led by Middlebury Interactive teachers and staff.

Salamanca Dates & Tuition

July 1—July 27, 2018

The total cost includes tuition, room and board, instructional materials, and field trips. Travel costs are not included.

March 2, 2018—
April 15, 2018

$7,995

Green Mountain College—Poultney, Vermont

June 24—July 20, 2018

Set among the lakes and mountains of southern Vermont, Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, is the longest running of the Academy’s sites and enjoys a close working relationship with Middlebury College’s Language Schools. With bucolic athletic fields and a collection of classic New England college facilities, Green Mountain College’s 155 acre campus is the perfect place for students to build upon their in class lessons, all while enjoying a safe, fun and engaging summer in Vermont.

Whether you want to learn Spanish or French, it’s the ideal spot to immerse yourself in language. Our programs at Green Mountain College are open to rising 8th-12th grade students from beginners to advanced students.

Visiting Southern Vermont

Our summer language Academies for students studying Spanish and French are held in southern Vermont at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont.

Poultney, located on the western side of the state of Vermont bordering New York in the Lakes Region of Rutland County is a small yet lively community of roughly 3,600 residents. The Green Mountain College campus is on the edge of town within close walking distance to downtown Poultney. Students will have the opportunity to walk into town to explore the few shops, restaurants, and cafes.

The town of Poultney puts on an elaborate Fourth of July parade each year featuring students of the language Academy who will march with locals (in their target language, of course!)—a highlight of the program for many students.

Green Mountain College Housing & Facilities

Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, is situated in southern Vermont’s beautiful lakes region with the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. Poultney, once home to early settlers and Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys, was chartered in 1761. Green Mountain College was founded in 1834.

During its history, the college has taught a diverse liberal arts education now focusing especially on environmental studies and finding itself at the forefront of a sustainability movement. An energetic institution in the most scenic of states, this college has been placed at the top of Sierra’s “Cool School” rankings and recently recognized by the Princeton Review for going environmentally green.

Academy students will live in dorms on the Green Mountain College campus where they will also take classes, participate in cultural exploration activities, and enjoy free time. The 155 acre campus which is small, safe and self contained, features an arts center, state-of-the-art fitness center, and the first renovated residence hall in Vermont to receive a LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Outdoor facilities include athletic fields, a nature preserve with hiking trails and views of the college’s beautiful landscape, and historic campus buildings.

Green Mountain College Dates & TUITION

June 24—July 20, 2018

Tuition covers the full cost of instruction, activities, field trips, food, lodging, and shuttle service to and from local airports. Tuition must be paid in full by the dates listed in order to obtain the savings as outlined below.